For the next 10 months, traffic will be deterred around a stretch of Alabama Street on the border of Redlands and Highland.

“Alabama Street will be closed at City Creek from Oct. 2013 to Aug. 2014. Use state route 210,” the black letters on the orange signs read, in all caps.

The signs are posted on Alabama at the River Bluff Avenue and 3rd Street intersections.

San Bernardino County’s Department of Public Works begins a new project Monday that is scheduled to conclude in August.

“The project includes construction of street improvements, concrete arch culverts, headwalls, wing walls, and concreted slope protection along portions of City Creek adjacent to the culverts,” according to spokeswoman Roni Edis.

In years past — specifically December 2010 — Edis said, flooding caused Alabama Street to be shut down. The flood prevention project will increase the creek’s capacity to move flowing water toward the ocean.

But it will restrict access for employees traveling to work and parents transporting children to school.

The thoroughfare is often used in the morning by Highlanders with children who attend Citrus Valley High School on Redlands North Side.

Last year, road construction on Alabama diverted traffic to Orange street, which resulted in bumper-to-bumper traffic, road rage and students late for class, a mother told the newspaper last spring.

This time, the county requests drivers use the 210 freeway as an alternate route.

During a phone interview a county spokeswoman wasn’t sure of the daily traffic along the stretch of Alabama Street that rises above the wash. Nor did she know how the work would impact traffic on surrounding streets.